Collapsible boat



:May 13 1924. 1,493,918

J. F. CRAWFQRD COLLAPS IBLE BOAT May 1s, 19245. mssms J. F. CRAWFORD COLLAPS IBLE BOAT Filed Jan. 5, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 1" 1924.

J. F. CRAWFORD coLLAPsIBLE BOAT 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 .Filed Jan. 5, 1923 May 13, 1924. 1,493,918 l J. F. CRAWFORD COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed Jan. 5. 1923 4 sheets-snaai; 4

Patented May 13, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOHN F. CRAWFORD, OF RACINE, lVVISCON-SIN'.

COLLAPSBLE BOAT.

Application filed January 5, `1923. Serial No. 610,763.

To (55,71 rwiz/m if?? fmfiy/ concern:

Be it known that l, Jol-1N F. CRAWFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Racine, in the county of Racine and State of lVisconsin, haver invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Boats, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in collapsible boats, and consists in certain details of construction and. arrangements of parts whereby I ain enabled to readily assemble they component parts of the boat into serviceable and water-tndit condition, and also to quickly disassemble and reduce the various parts thereof into a compact bundle ready for transportation, all as will be hereinafter more particularly described and explained.

In the accompanying drawings7 forming part hereof, Figure 1 is a plan of my improved boat; Figi 2, a fragmentary loin giti'idinal sectional view showing` one of the inner sides of the boat; Fig. 3, a horizontal sectional view showing the hinged prow which 'l' employ; F ig. l, a perspective of the hinder with which I secure the boat frame in assembled form, and which I also utilized for packing the various parts when in knocked-down condition; Fig. 5, a perspective of the center section of the sheer strakes; F ig'. 6, a plan showing in dotted lines lhecauvas covering within which the boat is encased and before said covering is folded, the full lines indicating the same after being shaped and ready to be folded about the boat frame, Fig. 7, a perspective in fragment of parts assembled about the spreader and inner Wale and showing the fastening means which I emplov; Fig. 8, a. perspective in fragment of the binder and parts to which it is secured; Fig. 9, a fragmentary side elevation and F ig. 10, a transverse sectional view, showing the method of connectingjoints in the sheer strakes; Figs, 11 and 12, details showing in fragment sections of the keel assembled with cross-ribs forming part of the boat; Fin. 13, a side elevation, Fig. 14, a transverse section. and F ig. 15 a longitudinal sectional view, shi'iwinn rib couplings which I employ; Fig. 1G, a transverse sectional view of one of the sheer strakes showing the character of hooks which I secure therein; Fig'. 17, an elevation of thecenter crossrib which l employ; Fig. 18, a plan thereof;

and Fig. 19 is an `elevation of the spreader f ,7, the ends` thereof being` provided with loops, 9, the binder as a whole being,` flexible. The binder is laid out in flat condition. I then take cross-ribs, and 11,' composed of `channeled metal, preferably aluminum, of the formation show-n in cross section in Fig'. 2 and in elevation in Fig. 1T and lock in the recessed sides or sockets, 1li, thereof the keel,` 12., which latter for the purposes of folding,` con'ipactly may be in four sections secured to each other by hinges, 13, this interlocking being accomplished by forcing the keel sections into the sockets la of the cross-ribs, as also indicated in Figs. 11 and 12, thus frictionally eno'ae'ine said elements in secure relation` t3 b l? to each other without the employment of other fastening devices. This structure comprising the sectional keel secured to ribs 10, 11, is placed upon the central rib, 6, of binder 5. The ribs 10, 11, except as to their `channeled formation are similar and curve upwardly terminating in off-set ends having a ledge, 15, at their outer sides for the reception of the sheer strake sections, .16, and also have a. seat, 17, on their inner sides to which the inner Wale `sections, 18, are secured. These ribs, 10, 11, are provided on their inner sides with means, as the hook formation, 19, or hooks or otherwise as may be desired, for securing the loops 9 of the straps, andalso with supports, 20, for sustaining the seat risers, 21, as will be hereinafter more fully eX- plained. The sheer strakes 16 are in sections and a central section thereof is placed in, ledge of said cross-ribs 10, 11. Then the sheer strakes are so positioned I install the inner wale sections 18, preferably four 'in number on each side of the boat, the

two middle sections being' provided with apertured plates, Q3, at their ends (Fig. 8)

which slip over pins, 25, in the middle crossrib l0, which secures them in position in the seat. 1T on said middle cross-rib. As exiiilained, however, the cross-ribs 11 are each provided with similar seats, as 1T of the middle cross-rib, so that the inner wale 18' may be positioned therein.

lVhen the keel, cross-ribs, sheer strake and inner wal@ sections are thus assembled the binder is drawn or wrapped around this mid-section `of the boat frame and the straps 7 are brought around the sheer stralre 16 and the inner wale 18 and fastened by the loops 9 by catching them in the hooks 19 indicated in Fig. 8, so that the assemblage of these parts will be in rigid condition.

lWhen this is accomplished the fore and aft sections of the boat, which are counterparts, are ready for attachment, and for purposes of explanation the foresection or prow in its construction and attachment will now be described. iIhe prow section is plainly indicated in Fig. 3, and consists of a plurality of longitudinal rib sections, 28, and a sheer strake section, 16, ixedly connected to a one-piece hinge member, 29, as indicated in Fig. 2, it being understood, of course, that the opposite side of the prow comprises a similar hinge section mating with its counterpart vjust described. These two longitudinal rib assemblies are arranged in proper relation as indicated by the dotted lines, 3, and a pintle, 30, connects said sections, the lower end of said pintle being provided with an integral hook, 31, or other fastening` device. The sections of this lhinged prow are placed upon the keel 12 and then drawn together, the latter having a socket, 32, thereon in which. the hook end 31 of the pintle is inserted before the sections have been brought in. As indicated in Fig. 3, I provide a lug, 33, about which the prow sections are closed and thus become locked. The prow assemblage, as well as the stern, constructed and arranged in the manner described, it may be here explained, become commercial units in manufacture so that these sections may be lreadily attached to the assembled mid-section arranged in the manner hereinabove indicated.

When the prow and stern sections are thus connected tothe keel 12 the sheer strake sections 16 extending therefrom are connected to the central stralre sections 16 by a connecting device such as a clamp-plate, 35, `(Figs. 9 and 10) of any suitable character, that shown being a shallow channeled structure conforming` in shape to the meeting ends of the strake sections, which plate is placed over the same, and is provided with registering holes, 36, through which and the strakes a stud or screw, 37, is passed and held in position by a hook, 38, or other device not requiring tools for insertion and withdrawal. The-ends of the binder-ribs 6 are then connected to the longitudinal yribs 28 of the prow and stern by metal couplings, 40, illustrated in Figs. 13,14 and 15, such form of coupling being provided with an indentation, 41, longitudinally thereof Awhich lits into a groove, 42, in the ribs so that it may be moved therealong to` cover the meeting ends of the ribs, the indented portion fitting into the said groove serving as means for holding the coupling in position, it being understood, of course, that the fit over such meeting ends is close enough so that there is slight frictional engagement between the parts yet the coupling is permitted to slide far enough to function as a stable connection for the ribs.

When the mid-section, prow and stern are thus assembled I further stabilize and shape the boat frame by inserting spreaders, 45, at each end thereof, which spreaders comprise a cross-member, 46, having curved legs, 47, extending downwardly therefrom, as indicated in big-s. 7 and 19. The lower ends of the spreader legs are provided with a reinforcing plate, 48, having a slot or opening, 49,.therein which slips over a pin, 48, in keel sections 1.2, the spreader as a whole being forced down into position so that it will fit tightly within the` sides Of the boat. I'Vhen the spreaders are thus installed the inner wale 18 is fastened at its fore and aft ends, this being accomplished .by engaging the metal hooks, 50, at the end thereof with the strap or catches, 51, secured to the spreader member 46. A block, 52, on sheer stralre 16 constitutes a guide for locating the spreader 45 in nroper relation tothe side of the boat so that when said spreader is installed it will always be in proper position when the frame-work of the boat is being assembled, and as shown in Fig. 5 similar blocks ory devices are provided on the sheer strake as guides for accurately locating cross-ribs 10, 1l. With the frame thus assembled I then install the seat-risers in each side of the boat, these risers comprising the sectional bars, 21, (two sections being used at each side). At theJ outer end of these bar sections I provide hooks, 21', by which the bar is secured to a cross-member, 21, of the spreader. The opposite ends of the bar sections are provided with angle-hooks, as sections are provided with angle-hooks, 20', which engage the locking device 20 of crossrib 10, as indicated in Fig. 8, and by which such seat-riser sections are secured in position at this point.

After the boat frame is assembled as thus described it is placed upon the canvas covering, 55, which is then drawn around so that the ends of the cover having seams, 56, therein for shaping the cover into pockets will titneatly about the points of the boat, the cover being otherwise seamless. The corners, 57, of this cover are drawn about the prow and stern and the side edges are folded over the sheer st-rakes 16 as indicated in Fig. 1. The cover, as illustrated in Fig. 6, is provided with grommets, 58, through which ay lace, 59, is loosely drawn, so that the latter may be looped over the inner wale 18 and caught in hooks, 60, forming part of sheer strake 16. One lace at each side is suiiicient and when the same is looped about the inner Wale and the sheer strake hooks in a loose manner as indicated the ends of the lace fore and aft can be drawn so that the lacing will be taut. A sufficient portion ot each end of the lace will then be available for drawing together the corners 57 oft the cover, as clearly indicated` in Fig. l, and when thus secured the` ends of the laces may betied together at the extreme ends of the boat.

Any suitable hooks, (30, maybe used in connection with the strake sections 16 but I prefer to employ the arrangement shown in Fig. 16, comprising a headed pin, 6l, which is passed through the sheer strake andy a washer, 62, placed thereover, after which the pin is bent into hook form 60 by any suitable bending tool, which assemblage provides a simple and readily applicable device for the purpose.

As hereinbe'liore indicated, and as will be understood by reference to Fig. 4C, the binder 5 constitutes an excellent wrapper for the ren'iainder ot the boat frame elements when packing for transportation, and that all longitudinal members can be of a straight and flexible character before assembling, but when assembled and flexed by the connecting and spreading devices described a high degree of rigidity is imparted thereto so that the boat 'trame as a whole when assembled assumes syn'nnetrical form and results in a securely connected and stable structure. lvhen thus assembled and covered the boat is ready for use when provided with seats, 6e, and treads, 65, and any other accessories required, as will be readily understood.

In devising a boat of the character herein described it has been my object to provide a structure which can be readily assembled and disassembled without the employment ofv intricate locking devices requiring manipulation of tools, which is of great importance for, as will be understood, portable boats of this character are especially useful in hunting and fishing, and are therefore transported to remote localities, and bybeing able to place my improved boat in disassembled compact form it can be transported personally by the sportsman or conveniently arranged upon and carried by vehicles, such as running boards of automobiles, and when required for use the various parts thereof may be readily assembled without expert assistance as it is but a simple operation to arrange the mid-section, attach the prow and stern sections and encase the assemblage in the waterproof covering with a minimum ot labor, which assemblage I have found in practice can be accomplished within a `few minutes.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a boat, the combination, of a sectionally hinged keel, cross-ribs detachably connected thereto, strakes mounted in said cross-ribs, means for binding said keel, cross-ribs and strakes together, a prow comprising hinged sections mounted on said keel, means for locking said prow to said keel, and` means for detaehably connecting said prow to 'said binding means.

2. In a boat, the combination with its midsection comprising a sectionally hinged keel, cross-ribs, strakes and a binder, o1t a prow having sheer-straks sections, and means for connecting said mid-section strakes and said prow section strakes comprising a detachable coupling uniting the meeting ends of said strakes, and means for securing the saine to said ends.

3. Ina boat, a keel,-a prow having two hinge `members adapted to mate with each other, sheer strake sections secured thereto, longitudinal ribs secured to said hinge members, a binder embodying ribs surrounding the mid-section of said boat and secured thereto, means for connecting said longi tudinal ribs and said binder ribs, means for uniting said hinge members, andmeans for securing saidprow to said keel.

Ina boat, a keel, cross-ribs interlock ing with said keel, `said cross-ribs having i means for supporting sheer strakes and seat risers, a prow connected to said keel, a spreaded in said prow, and means for connecting said seat-risers to said spreader.

l 5. In a boat, a unitary prow structure comprising mating hinged members, a strake and longitudinal ribs connected to said members, means for uniting said members to permit them to, swing apart and close together, a keel, means for locking said prow to said keel, a binder embodying longitudinal ribs surrounding the mid-section 01": said boat and secured thereto, and detachable means for connecting said longitudinal ribs to said binder ribs.

6. The combination, in a collapsible boat, of a sectionally hinged keel, cross-ribs interlocking therewith, a binder wrapped around said keel and ribs, a prow section secured to said keel and binder, a stern section secured to said keel and binder, a leX- ible covering connecting said parts, and means for lacing and securing said cover thereabout.

'7. In a boat, the combination, of a sectionally hinged keel, cross-ribs interlocking with said keel sections, a prow section connected to said keel, a stern section connected to said keel, inner wales supported by said cross-ribs, a binder uniting said keel, crossribs and prow and stern sections, and couplings connecting said prow and stern sections to said binder.

8. In a boat, a coupling for the meeting ends of prow rib and binder rib sections comprising a clip embodying an indented portion for engaging with said ribs.

9. In a boat, a prow section embodying ribs, a binder embodying longitudinal ribs adapted to communicate with said proW ribs, and means for detachably connecting said pron7 and binder ribs.

l0. In a boat, a sectionally hinged keel, middle and end cross-ribs having channeled formations interlocking therewith, means in said cross-ribs for supporting aninner Wale, an inner Wale mounted in said supporting means, and means associated With said inner Wale for securing the same to said middle cross-ribs. x

l1. In a boat, a sectionally hinged keel, middle and end cross-ribsfhaving channeled formations inter-locked therewith, means in said cross-ribs for supporting a seat-riser, a sectional seat-riser mounted in said supporting means, and means associated With the ends of said risers for securing the same to said middle cross-rib. y

12. A boat comprising a mid-section, a hinged prow section detachably secured thereto, a hinged stern section detachably secured to said mid-section, said proW and stern sections having longitudinal ribs, a hinder embodying longitudinal ribs surrounding said mid-section and secured thereto, means for detachably connecting said prow, stern and binder ribs, a flexible cover enclosing said boat, and means for securing said cover thereabout.

13. In a boat, a cross-rib having means for interlocking a keel thereto, and otlset portions on the upper outer and inner sides of its ends for supporting boat frame elements.

14. In a boat, cross-ribs having `'means for supporting seat-risers, spreaders in said boat having riser engaging means, and seat-risers mounted in said ribs embodying means for connection with said spreaders.

15. In a boat, a keel, a spreader comprising an upper cross-member, legs extending therefrom, means for engaging said legs to said keel, land means associated with said spreader intermediate said upper member and said keel for supportingseat-risers.

16. In a boat, cross-ribs embodying means for supporting longitudinal boat parts, a keel interlocked With said cross-ribs, fore and aft sections connected to said keel, means for detachahly connecting said sections to said keel, spreaders adapted to lit within said sections, and means for engaging said spreaders With said keel.l

17. In a collapsible boat, a sectional keel, cross-ribs frictionally engaging therewith, spreaders connected to said keel, a sectional boat traine comprising a mid and end sec- .tions secured to said keel, sectional strakes connected to said frame, and sectional Wales connected to said frame.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

JOHN F. CRAWFORD. 

